Just What is a One-on-One?

A version of this post originally appeared on the Colorado state blog—find out what’s going on in your state using the links above.

It’s no organizing secret that people talking to people makes a difference. In fact, I joined the Organizing for America team back in 2009 after seeing the impact of face-to-face conversations.

Having these conversations is how we’re going to win in 2012—so we’re kicking off the President’s re-election by sitting down and reconnecting with supporters through talks we're calling "one-on-ones."

In a one-on-one, an organizer will sit down with a new volunteer or volunteer leader for an in-depth face-to-face conversation. But one-on-ones are much more than two people sitting down for a 45-minute discussion. One-on-ones build relationships, generate new ideas for—and solicit feedback on—our organizing work, and help identify how each person can play a role that’s exciting for them.

Conversations like these are where our movement starts. They helped elect President Obama to the White House, passed the Affordable Care Act, and, against many odds, elected Colorado Senator Michael Bennet to the U.S. Senate.

To win the White House once again, we have to continue these conversations so we can really be a people-driven campaign. There is no doubt in my mind that the efforts to re-elect President Obama will belong to the volunteers here in Colorado and across the country because of the relationships we build over the next 18 months.

We win when we organize. Building strong relationships is the first and most important step toward victory in 2012.